Quebecers, Canadians split on proposed Charter of Values
Transcription
Quebecers, Canadians split on proposed Charter of Values
For Immediate Release Canadian Public Opinion Poll Page 1 of 13 Quebecers, Canadians split on proposed Charter of Values Two-thirds Quebecers support a proposed ban on religion clothing symbols at work, more than half of the rest of Canadians oppose it [Toronto – September 12, 2013] – The Quebec government’s proposed Charter of Quebec Values – which includes measures such as prohibiting public employees from wearing religious clothing and symbols at work – has considerable support in Quebec, but meets with solid disapproval in the rest of Canada. While Quebecers recognize relations with visible minorities will suffer because of this initiative, most public support for the Charter in Quebec appears to be driven by anxiety about multiculturalism, concern that Quebec culture needs protection and a belief that this initiative will bring a renewed sense of identity to Quebec society. These are the results emerging from a comprehensive national survey of public opinion th th conducted September 6 through 10 2013, the day the Quebec government released details of the Charter. In the first of three releases, this summary covers issues associated with the Charter in general and the religious symbols prohibition specifically. Future summaries will cover the Angus Reid Global survey’s examination of related issues such as “reasonable accommodation” and aspects of cultural intolerance in Quebec and across the country. KEY FINDINGS Two-thirds of Quebecers (65%) express overall support for a Charter of Quebec Values, with the largest group (35%) offering strong support. Other Canadians, meanwhile, are opposed to a Charter of Quebec Values by a margin exceeding two-to-one (44% to 20% support), with a full third outside Quebec unsure what they think about this proposal. Full topline results are at the end of this release. From September 6th to 10th, 2013, Angus Reid Global conducted an online survey among 2,025 randomly selected Canadian adults who are Angus Reid Forum panelists. 1,011 were surveyed within Quebec and 1,014 across the rest of Canada. Both samples were weighted by demographic characteristics and voting behaviour, and overall regional weights were applied to adjust for the intentional over-sampling within Quebec. The margin of error – which measures sampling variability – is +/- 3%. CONTACT: Shachi Kurl, Vice President, Angus Reid Global, 604.647.3274, [email protected] For Immediate Release Canadian Public Opinion Poll Page 2 of 13 OVERALL SUPPORT FOR THE CHARTER OF QUEBEC VALUES Two-thirds of Quebecers (65%) express overall support for a Charter of Quebec Values, with the largest group (35%) offering strong support. Support is particularly robust among the following quarters within Quebec: outside Montreal, those over 35, years of age, and PQ and CAQ supporters. Other Canadians, meanwhile, are opposed to a Charter of Quebec Values by a margin exceeding two-toone (44% to 20% support), with a full third outside Quebec unsure what they think about this proposal TWO SOLITUDES The national public opinion climate portrays “two solitudes” on many of the issues surrounding the debate over the Quebec Charter of Values, most notably regarding many of the specific elements of the Marois government’s desire to secularize the public service. While the divergence of views is striking, there is also evidence of some common ground between Quebec and the rest of Canada. RELIGIOUS SYMBOLS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR WORKPLACE Asked for their views on “a law in Quebec that prohibits people who are public employees from wearing religious clothing or symbols while at work”, two-thirds (68%) of Quebecers express general support for such a broad prohibition (fully 46% indicate strong support). Canadians living outside Quebec oppose the proposal by a margin of 53% to 37% (33%, the plurality, strongly oppose). Within Quebec, support is stronger outside the Montreal area, though not by a large margin (73% versus 63% in the Metro area). Support is more tepid among young Quebecers: just over half voiced support, one-third strongly; whereas amongst Quebecers over the age of 35, support is about 75%, with half voicing strong support. University-educated Quebecers are also less enthusiastic about the plan, though a majority still indicated support. The support base of the ruling Parti Quebecois is well on-side: 85% of PQ supporters surveyed said they are in favour of the prohibition, 62% strongly. Supporters of the Coalition Avenir Quebec also voiced strong support (80%). Among Quebec Liberals, views were closer to split (52% support versus 43% oppose). In the rest of Canada, Albertans seem less cold to the proposed law, with 44% of Alberta respondents supporting it, versus 49% opposing. In Ontario, 50% oppose and 40% support the proposed legislation. In other English-speaking regions, opposition is in the 60% range. As in Quebec, younger people in the rest of Canada are more opposed to the proposal, as are the university-educated. Interestingly, looking by federal party preference, Conservative supporters are quite split on the proposed law (47% support versus 47% oppose) whereas most Liberals and NDP supporters in the rest of Canada are opposed. SPECIFIC SYMBOLS The survey took a closer look at views on prohibiting specific types of religious symbols/clothing in the public sector workplace. In this case, survey respondents were asked “to think about your own province” CONTACT: Shachi Kurl, Vice President, Angus Reid Global, 604.647.3274, [email protected] For Immediate Release Canadian Public Opinion Poll Page 3 of 13 so those in the rest of Canada are reflecting on their own milieu. There is a wide divergence of opinion between Quebec and the rest of Canada on the acceptability of public employees wearing religionidentifying clothing or symbols at work. Both Quebecers and other Canadians are united in opposition to the following being worn at work by public employees: The burka : 90% of Quebecers and 62% in the rest of the country; The kirpan: 84% in Quebec, 68% in the rest of Canada For four of the other religious symbols examined, most Quebecers support a prohibition in the public sector workplace while most other Canadians would oppose such a measure. These include: The turban: 63% of Quebecers are opposed to public employees wearing a turban at work. 66% of other Canadians are supportive. The hijab: 63% of Quebecers are opposed to public employees wearing a hijab at work. 65% of other Canadians are supportive. The kippa: 55% are opposed to kippas in the workplace in Quebec. Across the rest of the country, 76% support a public employee’s right to wear one. A nun’s habit: Interestingly, given Quebec’s Catholic heritage, a full majority (59%) of Quebecers also expressed opposition to the wearing of a nun’s habit by public employees at work. Threequarters (74%) of their counterparts in the rest of Canada did not object to this. There is more acceptance for the wearing of the remaining two symbols examined: The Star of David: Quebecers are evenly split on this (47% oppose versus 48% support) while most in the rest of Canada are supportive (78%). The crucifix: Most Quebecers (63%) also indicated support for allowing this symbol in the public sector workplace as did the vast majority (83%) of Canadians in other regions. RELIGIOUS SYMBOLS IN PUBLIC PLACES Significantly, Quebecers voiced stronger support for banning religious symbols and dress in public places four years ago than they do today. Angus Reid Global tracked a question put to a Quebec sample in October 2009. Focusing more on place than type of religious symbol, respondents were asked whether “symbols of religious belief” (such as turbans and hijabs, and also crucifixes or the star of David) should be allowed in four different public places, specifically: School Work Public Spaces Hospitals. CONTACT: Shachi Kurl, Vice President, Angus Reid Global, 604.647.3274, [email protected] For Immediate Release Canadian Public Opinion Poll Page 4 of 13 A full majority of Quebecers surveyed for this current poll indicated opposition to the wearing of religious clothing or symbols in schools (66%), work (60%), and hospitals (60%); and were evenly split in the case of religious symbols being worn in public spaces. However, the 2009 survey found higher opposition, in the three-quarters range for the three specific locations. This downward shift is significant. For all four, a full majority of Canadians from outside Quebec indicated these religious symbols should be allowed in these public venues with roughly one-third disagreeing. PAYING THE PRICE Quebecers recognize there is a political cost associated with proceeding with the Charter of Quebec Values. When asked what kind of impact they think this initiative will have on Quebec’s image in various places, Quebecers: anticipate a negative impact in the Middle East (58% negative, 9% positive) and Asia (16% negative, 25% positive); are essentially divided on the impact it is likely to have elsewhere in Canada (33% positive, 35% negative) and in Latin America; anticipate a net positive impact on Quebec’s image in Europe (41% positive, 15% negative) and the United States (32% positive, 16% negative), with a plurality opting for a “neutral” impact in both these cases. There is also a lot of concern about the impact closer to home on minority relations within the province. Quebecers were equally likely to agree as disagree (49% agree, 51% disagree) with the statement: “Instituting a secular Charter of Quebec Values will irreparably damage relationships with religious minorities in Quebec.” Other Canadians are even more convinced this will be the case (74% agree). PROTECTING QUEBEC’S IDENTITY Quebecers profess some important cultural anxieties and aspirations that drive their support for the Charter of Quebec Values initiative. The poll included a number of attitudinal statements to further probe the mindsets behind the views on this issue. Consider the following: “Creating a Charter of Quebec Values will bring harmony and a renewed sense of identity to Quebec society.” Quebecers voice solid agreement (63%) with a key argument in support of the Charter, that it will usher in a new era of renewed Quebec identity. Other Canadians don’t see this (76% disagree with the statement). “Quebec culture needs protection.” CONTACT: Shachi Kurl, Vice President, Angus Reid Global, 604.647.3274, [email protected] For Immediate Release Canadian Public Opinion Poll Page 5 of 13 There is very strong support for this cultural protection argument among Quebecers (86%). Other Canadians tend to disagree (60% disagree with the statement, though 40% agree). “Minorities need to do more to fit in with the mainstream in my province”. Quebecers are almost unanimous in agreement (86%) – and this is very much shared ground with their counterparts in other parts of Canada (71% of non-Quebecers also agreed with this statement). OVERALL SUPPORT FOR THE CHARTER OF QUEBEC VALUES Two-thirds of Quebecers (65%) express overall support for a Charter of Quebec Values, with the largest group (35%) offering strong support. Support is particularly robust among the following quarters within Quebec: outside Montreal, those over 35, years of age, and PQ and CAQ supporters. Other Canadians, meanwhile, are opposed to a Charter of Quebec Values by a margin exceeding two-toone (44% to 20% support), with a full third outside Quebec unsure what they think about this proposal. Angus Reid Global is a public affairs practice headed by Dr. Angus Reid: an industry visionary who has spent more than four decades asking questions to figure out what people feel, how they think and who they will vote for. A team of talented and experienced practitioners with a unique and profound understanding of global issues conduct high quality research throughout the world on a daily basis for corporations, governments, academic researchers, and non-profit organizations. Learn about our electoral record / Consult our surveys / Follow us on Twitter About Vision Critical® Vision Critical is a global research and technology firm that creates software and services solutions for over 600 clients, including one third of the world’s top 100 brands. The company has offices across North America, Europe and Australia as well as a Global Partner Program that provides other research companies and consultants with access to top-of-the-line technology. Its Sparq™ product is the most widely adopted community panel platform on the planet. Media contacts: Andrew Grenville, Chief Research Officer: 416.640.3993/[email protected] Shachi Kurl, Vice President, Communications: 604.908.1693/[email protected] Jaideep Mukerji, Senior Vice President (Francais) : 212.402.8226/[email protected] CONTACT: Shachi Kurl, Vice President, Angus Reid Global, 604.647.3274, [email protected] For Immediate Release Canadian Public Opinion Poll Page 6 of 13 Quebec: Would you support or oppose a law in Quebec that prohibits people who are public employees from wearing religious clothing or symbols while at work? Total Language Spoken At Home Area Age Education Quebec Montreal Other PQ French Other 1834 3554 55+ <=HS College /Post Sec Univ+ Support 69% 63% 73% 75% 31% 56% 72% 76% 72% 72% 58% Oppose 26% 31% 22% 21% 58% 33% 24% 22% 22% 24% 37% Don't know 5% 6% 5% 4% 11% 11% 4% 2% 6% 4% 5% Rest of Canada: Would you support or oppose a law in Quebec that prohibits people who are public employees from wearing religious clothing or symbols while at work? Total Support Oppose Don't know Region Age Education ROC BC AB SK/MN ON Atlantic 1834 3554 55+ <=HS College/Post Sec Univ+ 37% 31% 44% 27% 40% 30% 24% 42% 43% 37% 41% 32% 53% 56% 49% 65% 50% 63% 61% 50% 50% 51% 49% 64% 10% 14% 7% 8% 10% 7% 15% 8% 7% 12% 10% 4% CONTACT: Shachi Kurl, Vice President, Angus Reid Global, 604.647.3274, [email protected] For Immediate Release Canadian Public Opinion Poll Page 7 of 13 Level of support or opposition to public employees in your own province visibly wearing the following types of religious symbols or clothing while at work: Quebec Support Rest of Canada Oppose Support Oppose Turban 34% 63% 66% 31% Hijab 34% 63% 65% 31% Nun's habit 38% 59% 74% 21% Burka 7% 90% 34% 62% Kippa 42% 55% 76% 20% Kirpan 13% 84% 28% 68% Star of David 47% 48% 78% 19% Crucifix 63% 34% 83% 14% Do you think that these symbols of religious belief should be allowed in the following places? Quebec 2009 Quebec 2013 Rest of Canada 2013 Yes No Yes No Yes No School 19% 76% 24% 66% 56% 32% Work 19% 74% 29% 60% 52% 34% Public spaces 35% 59% 43% 47% 70% 19% Hospitals 25% 70% 29% 60% 58% 29% CONTACT: Shachi Kurl, Vice President, Angus Reid Global, 604.647.3274, [email protected] For Immediate Release Canadian Public Opinion Poll Page 8 of 13 Quebec: If Quebec is to institute a Charter of Quebec Values, what impact do you think it would have on Quebec’s image in the following places: Very positive Somewhat positive Neutral Somewhat Negative Very Negative Within Canada 12% 21% 31% 26% 10% The United States 10% 21% 53% 11% 5% Europe 14% 27% 44% 10% 5% The Middle East 3% 6% 33% 36% 22% Asia 5% 11% 59% 17% 8% Latin America 7% 15% 58% 14% 6% Rest of Canada: If Quebec is to institute a Charter of Quebec Values, what impact do you think it would have on Quebec’s image in the following places: Very positive Somewhat positive Neutral Somewhat Negative Very Negative Within Canada 3% 12% 30% 35% 10% The United States 3% 19% 45% 22% 12% Europe 3% 12% 44% 27% 14% The Middle East 1% 4% 24% 25% 45% Asia 1% 4% 42% 34% 18% Latin America 1% 6% 50% 29% 14% CONTACT: Shachi Kurl, Vice President, Angus Reid Global, 604.647.3274, [email protected] For Immediate Release Canadian Public Opinion Poll Page 9 of 13 Quebec: Instituting a secular Charter of Quebec Values will irreparably damage relationships with religious minorities in Quebec Total Language Spoken At Home Area Age Education Quebec Montreal Other PQ French Other 18-34 35-54 55+ <=HS College/ Post Sec Univ+ Agree strongly 17% 20% 14% 12% 48% 19% 16% 15% 17% 14% 20% Agree moderately 32% 31% 33% 33% 29% 36% 31% 31% 30% 36% 32% 35% 36% 34% 37% 20% 35% 37% 33% 34% 36% 34% 16% 13% 18% 18% 3% 10% 16% 20% 19% 15% 13% Disagree moderately Disagree strongly Rest of Canada: Instituting a secular Charter of Quebec Values will irreparably damage relationships with religious minorities in Quebec Total ROC Region BC AB Age SK/M N ON Atlantic 18-34 35-54 Education 55+ <=HS College/ Post Sec Univ+ Agree strongly 30% 34% 30% 29% 28% 36% 33% 25% 34% 29% 28% 35% Agree moderately 44% 37% 47% 51% 45% 42% 45% 47% 40% 47% 45% 37% 22% 25% 19% 19% 23% 22% 17% 24% 24% 22% 22% 23% 4% 4% 4% 1% 5% 1% 5% 4% 2% 3% 4% 5% Disagree moderately Disagree strongly CONTACT: Shachi Kurl, Vice President, Angus Reid Global, 604.647.3274, [email protected] For Immediate Release Canadian Public Opinion Poll Page 10 of 13 Quebec: Creating a Charter of Quebec Values will bring harmony and a renewed sense of identity to Quebec society. Total Language Spoken At Home Area Age Education Quebec Montreal Other PQ French Other 18-34 35-54 55+ <=HS College /Post Sec Univ+ Agree strongly 25% 24% 27% 29% 5% 21% 25% 30% 31% 25% 15% Agree moderately 38% 36% 39% 41% 16% 38% 38% 37% 39% 38% 34% 19% 19% 19% 18% 26% 23% 21% 13% 15% 22% 23% 18% 21% 16% 12% 54% 19% 16% 20% 15% 16% 27% Disagree moderately Disagree strongly Rest of Canada: Creating a Charter of Quebec Values will bring harmony and a renewed sense of identity to Quebec society. Total Region Atlantic 18-34 35-54 55+ <=HS College /Post Sec Univ+ 4% 1% 4% 4% 2% 3% 4% 2% 6% 24% 15% 19% 24% 19% 23% 20% 16% 36% 52% 41% 48% 48% 43% 36% 42% 43% 42% 35% 42% 30% 37% 30% 29% 43% 31% 33% 39% BC AB Agree strongly 3% 2% 4% Agree moderately 21% 18% 25% 42% 42% 34% 38% Disagree strongly Education ON ROC Disagree moderately Age SK/MN CONTACT: Shachi Kurl, Vice President, Angus Reid Global, 604.647.3274, [email protected] For Immediate Release Canadian Public Opinion Poll Page 11 of 13 Quebec: Quebec culture needs protection Total Language Spoken At Home Area Age Education Quebec Montreal Other PQ French Other 18-34 35-54 55+ <=HS College/ Post Sec Univ+ Agree strongly 64% 60% 67% 72% 13% 53% 64% 73% 73% 60% 51% Agree moderately 22% 21% 23% 21% 25% 28% 23% 16% 13% 28% 30% 8% 10% 6% 4% 28% 11% 7% 5% 8% 5% 12% 6% 10% 3% 2% 34% 9% 5% 6% 6% 7% 7% Disagree moderately Disagree strongly Rest of Canada: Quebec culture needs protection Total Region Age Education ROC BC AB SK/MN ON Atlantic 18-34 35-54 55+ <=HS College /Post Sec Univ+ Agree strongly 8% 4% 9% 5% 10% 3% 9% 8% 7% 8% 7% 9% Agree moderately 32% 31% 28% 30% 34% 27% 38% 33% 25% 29% 34% 33% 40% 40% 41% 40% 39% 46% 44% 35% 43% 42% 39% 37% 20% 25% 22% 25% 17% 23% 10% 24% 26% 21% 20% 20% Disagree moderately Disagree strongly CONTACT: Shachi Kurl, Vice President, Angus Reid Global, 604.647.3274, [email protected] For Immediate Release Canadian Public Opinion Poll Page 12 of 13 Quebec: Minorities need to do more to fit in with the mainstream in my province Total Language Spoken At Home Area Age Education Quebec Montreal Other PQ French Other 18-34 35-54 55+ <=HS College /Post Sec Univ + Agree strongly 51% 45% 55% 55% 25% 38% 53% 59% 54% 51% 43% Agree moderately 35% 39% 32% 34% 44% 38% 35% 33% 33% 37% 39% 10% 12% 9% 9% 21% 19% 9% 5% 9% 10% 14% 4% 4% 4% 3% 10% 5% 3% 3% 4% 2% 5% Disagree moderately Disagree strongly Rest of Canada: Minorities need to do more to fit in with the mainstream in my province Total Region Age Education ROC BC AB SK/MN ON Atlantic 18-34 35-54 55+ <=HS College /Post Sec Univ+ Agree strongly 35% 32% 42% 27% 38% 24% 14% 38% 50% 38% 39% 25% Agree moderately 36% 40% 31% 55% 33% 35% 34% 35% 41% 35% 37% 38% 20% 19% 17% 15% 21% 26% 32% 20% 8% 17% 18% 28% 9% 9% 9% 3% 8% 14% 20% 7% 1% 11% 6% 9% Disagree moderately Disagree strongly CONTACT: Shachi Kurl, Vice President, Angus Reid Global, 604.647.3274, [email protected] For Immediate Release Canadian Public Opinion Poll Page 13 of 13 Quebec: Overall, based on whatever you have heard or read about it, do you support or oppose a Charter of Quebec Values? Total Language Spoken At Home Area Age Education Quebec Montreal Other PQ Frenc h Other 18-34 35-54 55+ <=HS College/ Post Sec Univ+ Strongly Support 35% 32% 37% 40% 4% 23% 38% 40% 40% 37% 22% Moderately support 30% 27% 31% 32% 13% 30% 30% 28% 27% 31% 33% Moderately oppose 11% 12% 10% 10% 16% 13% 9% 12% 10% 10% 16% Strongly oppose 13% 16% 11% 8% 44% 13% 13% 14% 11% 13% 19% Don't know 11% 13% 10% 10% 22% 20% 9% 7% 13% 10% 11% Rest of Canada: Overall, based on whatever you have heard or read about it, do you support or oppose a Charter of Quebec Values? Total Region Age Education ROC BC AB SK/MN ON Atlantic 18-34 35-54 55+ <=HS College /Post Sec Univ+ Strongly Support 4% 3% 5% 0% 5% 3% 3% 6% 2% 3% 4% 4% Moderately support 16% 13% 20% 7% 17% 13% 11% 17% 19% 16% 16% 15% Moderately oppose 19% 13% 20% 36% 16% 31% 19% 15% 26% 18% 19% 21% Strongly oppose 25% 31% 17% 33% 25% 22% 19% 26% 30% 23% 23% 33% Don't know 36% 41% 39% 24% 37% 31% 49% 37% 23% 40% 37% 27% CONTACT: Shachi Kurl, Vice President, Angus Reid Global, 604.647.3274, [email protected]